fault1 nounfault2 verb
faultfault1 /fɔːlt $ fɒːlt/ ●●● S2 W3 noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINfault1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French faute, from Latin fallere; ➔ FAIL1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Check the ignition system for faults.
- Denney is aware of his faults.
- Despite its faults, the novel is suspenseful.
- For all his faults, he was a good father.
- I think there's a fault in one of the loudspeakers.
- Quality control staff are employed to check for any faults.
- She's my best friend and I love her dearly, but she has her faults.
- The fault could be either in the tape or in the VCR.
- The rocket launch was delayed because of a technical fault.
- The San Andreas fault runs right through the middle of this valley.
- The secret of a good relationship is to accept the other person's faults, and not try to make them change.
- And he was right, of course, it was all my fault, I was a long-haired hippie agnostic.
- In particular this would support litigation which is not the fault of the parties to it, yet involves them in cost.
- It is a character fault, what am I taking about?
- It was a fault of his.
- Moreover, the back limbs of such folds may become detached along major thrust faults to produce nappes.
- Put in this way, management of the economy seems to have been grossly at fault.
- They believe an electricity fault was the cause.
THESAURUSsomething wrong
a problem in a machine, system, design etc that causes damage or makes it not work properly: · The fire was caused by an electrical fault.· a fault in the engine
a fault in something such as a product or machine, resulting from the way it was made or designed: · Cars are tested for defects before they leave the factory.
a part of a plan, system, or argument that is not as good as the other parts, and makes it likely to fail: · What are the strengths and weaknesses of each method?
a fault in a plan, system, argument etc, especially one that makes it useless or not effective: · Your argument has a fundamental flaw.· There was one major flaw in his suggestion – we didn’t have enough money.
a fault in a computer program: · A bug in the system was quickly fixed.
a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be easily corrected: · I noticed a small glitch when installing the software.
something that is wrong in someone’s spelling, grammar, calculations etc: · The article was full of spelling mistakes.
used when saying that there is a problem in a machine, car etc, but you do not know what it is: · There’s something wrong with the computer – it won’t close down.
Longman Language Activatorsomething wrong with a machine, system, plan etc something wrong with one of the parts of a machine that prevents it from working properly: · Quality control staff are employed to check for any faults.fault in: · I think there's a fault in one of the loudspeakers.· The fault could be either in the tape or in the VCR.electrical/mechanical/technical etc fault: · The rocket launch was delayed because of a technical fault.
something wrong with a product or machine, especially caused by a mistake in the way it was made or designed: · All the computers are checked for defects before they leave the factory.defect in: · A defect in the braking system caused several accidents before the car was recalled.· Investigators found a defect in the design of the ship.
something that stops a machine or system from working normally: · Please call 5326 if you have any computer problems.problem with: · There seems to be some kind of problem with the heaters.problem in: · Engineers were unable to find the source of the problem in the spacecraft's cooling system.
something wrong with a machine, car etc, especially when you do not know exactly what is causing it: · If you have engine trouble, park as far to the side of the road as possible.have trouble: · If you used the same tape later and had no trouble with the picture, the problem is probably in the VCR.trouble with: · We've been having some trouble with the air-conditioning.the trouble (=the particular thing causing the problem): · I think we've found out what the trouble is.
something wrong with a plan, system, or set of ideas, which may make the whole thing useless or not effective: · His plan seemed foolproof, but I was sure there was a flaw somewhere.· The program has serious weaknesses, and I would avoid using it.flaw/weakness in: · There are several obvious flaws in his argument.· One major weakness in the study is that it is based on a very small sample.
a small problem in a computer or a computer system: · The program suffers from some minor bugs, but is still better than the first version.· Some chips contained a bug that caused computers to crash frequently.
a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be corrected easily: · As the glitches are found and corrected, the process is speeding up.glitch in: · A glitch in the system shut down the telephone service to nearly 6 million customers. technical/mechanical etc glitch: · NASA officials found a way to work around the technical glitch on the Galileo spacecraft.
a set of instructions that someone puts secretly into other people's computers, that can destroy information stored in them or stop them working correctly: · The disk was accidentally infected with a virus called "Stoned III".· Computer users from around the world reported that the virus had invaded their systems.· an anti-virus program
spoken say this when there is a problem in a machine, part of a car etc, but you do not know exactly what it is: · I think there's something wrong with the clutch in my car.· I don't know what's the matter with it, but I can't get it to work.· There are programs that will help you figure out what's wrong with your PC, and help you correct it.
a fault in someone's character a bad point in someone's character: · The secret of a good relationship is to accept the other person's faults, and not try to make them change.have his/her/their faults: · She's my best friend and I love her dearly, but she has her faults.for all his/her/their faults (=even though they have these faults): · For all his faults, he was a good father.
a small fault in someone's character or a lack of a good quality such as courage or good judgement: · The flaw that leads to Othello's downfall is his jealousy.· The biographer believes that flaws in Kennedy's character weakened his leadership of the nation.· Despite his weaknesses, he was a fair man.
the faults in someone's character - use this especially when you are saying that the person has good qualities too: · He acknowledged his own shortcomings, including at times being stubborn and a little vain.· Whatever his shortcomings, Hamilton was one of the great men in American history.
when something bad is someone's fault if something is someone's fault , they are responsible for it, especially because they made a mistake: · He played very well, and it is not his fault we lost.be somebody's own fault (=when someone is responsible for something bad that happens to them): · Marie failed the exam, but it was her own fault - she didn't do any work.be sb's fault (that): · I'm so sorry. It's my fault that we're so late.be sb's fault for doing something: · Of course she was angry - but it's your fault for telling her about the whole thing in the first place.the fault of somebody: · Suggesting that our problems are the fault of someone else won't solve anything.
if someone or something is to blame for a bad situation, they caused it: · When kids do badly at school, it's not always the teachers who are to blame.be to blame for: · Some people think television is to blame for a lot of the problems in modern society.· She was as much to blame for the breakup of their marriage as he was.
if someone is responsible for an accident, crime etc, they caused it and they should be punished for it: · The police are trying to find out who was responsible.be responsible for: · There is a reward for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for the explosion.feel responsible (=think that something is your fault): · I knew the accident wasn't really my fault, but I can't help feeling a little responsible.
if someone, especially a group of people or an organization, is at fault , they are responsible for something bad that has happened because they did not behave correctly or did not take enough care: · The accident report found both drivers to be at fault.be at fault for doing something: · With regard to the chaos after the earthquake, many people believe the government is at fault for not responding quickly enough.
if you only have yourself to blame for something bad that has happened, it is your own fault that it happened and you should not feel sorry for yourself: · His wife's left him but he only has himself to blame.only have yourself to blame for doing something: · I've only got myself to blame for losing the race.
to think that it is your fault that something bad has happened, so that you feel very upset or ashamed: · You mustn't blame yourself -- it wasn't your fault.· Children sometimes feel responsible for their parents divorcing and blame themselves.blame yourself for: · He never stopped blaming himself for his wife's death.
when something is not someone's fault if something is not someone's fault , they did not make it happen and they should not be blamed for it: · Try not to worry about it too much - it's not your fault.· She felt guilty, even though the accident wasn't her fault.be not sb's fault (that): · It wasn't the builders' fault that the work wasn't finished on time.
if something bad happens through no fault of your own , it is not your fault that it happens but you suffer because of it: · The center exists to help those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.· Because of the budget cuts, some students, through no fault of their own, may have a hard time paying their way.
to not be responsible for something bad that happens - use this especially when other people think you might have done something to make it happen: · The press won't leave him alone, but he wasn't really to blame.not be to blame for: · Hospital workers were not to blame for a nine-year-old's death, a court decided yesterday.· The report said that no one was to blame for the accident.
especially spoken use this to say that someone should not be blamed for something because they cannot stop it from happening: · "Stop walking up and down like that!" "I can't help it - I'm really nervous."· I tried not to cry but I just couldn't help it.can't help it if: · He can't help it if they didn't understand what he was telling them to do.
to blame someone for something to say or think that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: · It's your idea - don't blame me if it doesn't work.· Everyone wants to blame the referees when their team loses.blame somebody for something: · Democrats have blamed Republicans for the failure to reach an agreement.blame something on somebody/something: · Some of the women blamed their husbands' violence on drinking.blame yourself: · For many years I blamed myself for her death.
especially spoken to say that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: · Everyone is saying it's my fault, but I didn't have anything to do with it.say it's sb's fault (that): · How can you say it's my fault that you lost your job?
to say who you think is responsible for something bad that has happened, often unfairly or wrongly: · Don't try to put the blame on me!· Subsequent investigations placed the blame squarely on city officials.put/lay the blame for something on somebody/something: · Farmers have laid the blame for their problems entirely on EU policies.
to say that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad: · They're accusing me without any proof.accuse somebody of doing something: · Are you accusing her of lying?· The woman was accused of having beaten her four-year-old daughter.be accused of murder/armed robbery etc: · West has been accused of first-degree murder.
formal to officially say which people are responsible for something bad that has happened: · It is not easy for the Committee of Inquiry to apportion blame in such a complicated case.
to say that it is someone's fault that something bad has happened because you think it was their duty to prevent this from happening: · It's your decision - you can't hold me responsible if it goes wrong.hold sb responsible for: · Alex still holds his mother responsible for the divorce.hold somebody partly/largely/entirely responsible: · The shipment never arrived, and we are holding the freight company entirely responsible.hold somebody personally responsible (=blame one person only): · If anything happens to Donny, I'll hold you personally responsible.
to feel that something is your fault and wish that you had done more to prevent it from happening: · There's no point in reproaching yourself - there's nothing you could have done.reproach yourself for: · He reproached himself for not having called the police sooner.
to become angry at someone who tells you bad news even though they are not responsible for what has happened: · If you don't listen and instead shoot the messenger, you're not going to learn about the problems you need to deal with.
to criticize someone or something unfairly to criticize things that are wrong with someone or something, especially small and unimportant things: · No-one enjoys working for a boss who always finds fault with their work.find fault with somebody for something: · The report found fault with the police department for its handling of the case.
especially British, informal to criticize small details in someone's ideas or plans - use this about someone who seems to be deliberately looking for problems and mistakes: · As soon as she stopped talking, Janet's colleagues began to pick holes in the idea.
to criticize someone, their work, or their performance in an unfair and annoying way: · It's hard to knock Gordon because he always works so hard.· Critics knocked his latest film for its portrayal of women.don't knock it!: · Hey, don't knock it! It's the only suit I've got!
to make someone feel unimportant or stupid especially by criticizing them in public: put down somebody: · Television programs always seem to put down people from the South.put somebody down: · She enjoys putting me down in front of other people.
British informal to criticize someone, especially in a nasty and unfair way: slag off somebody: · She spent the whole evening slagging off her ex-boyfriend.slag somebody off: · When the team isn't winning everyone starts slagging them off.
informal to make nasty remarks about someone when that person is not there: · People in our office are always bitching about each other.
informal to keep criticizing someone by making remarks about their behaviour or habits, especially in an unkind or annoying way: · I try not to take it personally -- he gets at everyone on the team.get at about: · My mother keeps getting at me about the state of my room.
informal the annoying habit of criticizing someone about unimportant details, especially in someone's work: · I've had enough of your constant nit-picking. Why can't you say something encouraging?
WORD SETSagglomerate, nounalabaster, nounanthracite, nounasbestos, nounatoll, nounbasalt, nounbasin, nounbauxite, nounbed, nounbedrock, nounberyl, nounbluff, nouncanyon, nouncape, nouncarboniferous, adjectivechalk, nounchalky, adjectivechasm, nounclay, nouncliff, nouncoal, nouncoastal, adjectivecoastline, nounconglomerate, nouncontinental drift, nouncontinental shelf, nouncore, nouncove, nouncrag, nouncrater, nouncreek, nounCretaceous, adjectivecrevasse, nouncrust, nouncrystal, nouncrystalline, adjectivecrystallize, verbdelta, noundeposit, noundeposition, noundune, noundust bowl, nounearthquake, nounelevation, nounemery, nounepicentre, nounepoch, nounera, nounerode, verberosion, nounerupt, verbescarpment, nounestuary, nounextinct, adjectivefault, nounfeeder, nounfeldspar, nounfiord, nounfjord, nounflint, nounflood plain, nounfluvial, adjectivefold, nounfool's gold, nounfossil, nounfossilize, verbfriable, adjectivegeology, noungeyser, nounglaciation, nounglacier, nounGondwanaland, granite, noungrassland, noungroundwater, noungulf, noungully, nounheadland, nounhinterland, nounhot spring, nounigneous, adjectiveimpervious, adjectiveinactive, adjectiveinlet, nounisthmus, nounjasper, nounjet, nounkaolin, nounknoll, nounlagoon, nounlake, nounlandlocked, adjectivelandslide, nounlandslip, nounlava, nounleach, verblevee, nounlime, nounlimestone, nounloam, nounlowlands, nounmagma, nounmarble, nounmarsh, nounmarshland, nounmatrix, nounmetamorphic, adjectivemica, nounmineral, nounmineralogy, nounmining, nounmoraine, nounmorass, nounmountain, nounmountainside, nounmountaintop, nounmudslide, nounnugget, nounoasis, nounoilfield, nounore, nounoutcrop, nounpalaeontology, nounPalaeozoic, adjectivePangaea, peninsula, nounpermafrost, nounpetroleum, nounpillar, nounpinnacle, nounplate, nounplate tectonics, nounporous, adjectivepothole, nounprairie, nounprecipice, nounpromontory, nounpumice, nounpyrites, nounquartz, nounravine, nounreservoir, nounridge, nounrift, nounrift valley, nounriver, nounrock, nounrock salt, nounsand, nounsand bar, nounsandstone, nounsapphire, nounscarp, nounschist, nounscree, nounseam, nounsediment, nounsedimentary, adjectivesedimentation, nounseismic, adjectiveseismograph, nounseismology, nounsettlement, nounshale, nounshelf, nounshingle, nounsilica, nounsilicate, nounsilt, nounslate, nounstalactite, nounstalagmite, nounstone, nounstrait, nounstrata, stratified, adjectivestratum, nounsubsoil, nounsubstratum, nounsummit, nounterrain, nounthermal, adjectivetopaz, nountopsoil, nountor, nountremor, nountributary, nountrilobite, nountsunami, nountundra, nounturquoise, nounvalley, nounvein, nounvolcanic, adjectivevolcano, nounwatercourse, nounwaterfall, nounwater table, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
I didn’t sleep well that night, but it was my own fault. For all its faults (=in spite of its faults) we love this city. I may have my faults, but ingratitude is not one of them. For all his faults (=in spite of his faults) he was a good father.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The fire was caused by an electrical fault. Part of the blame must lie with social services. It’s your own fault for leaving the window open.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
I didn’t sleep well that night, but it was my own fault. For all its faults (=in spite of its faults) we love this city. I may have my faults, but ingratitude is not one of them. For all his faults (=in spite of his faults) he was a good father. (=a part of something that does not work well or look good)· If a washing-machine makes too much noise, it’s a design fault.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault. Part of the blame must lie with social services. It’s your own fault for leaving the window open.· But be prepared and able to speak without it just in case it is not available or an electrical fault develops.· An electrical fault is believed to have been the cause.· The cause has been described as an electrical fault.· On the other hand it could have been an electrical fault ... he's waiting for the results of the investigation.· Have a residual current device fitted to protect the property from the risk of fire started by an electrical fault.· The blaze was caused by an electrical fault.· Cleveland police said it was believed an electrical fault started the fire in a ground-floor flat.· More recently, stories have circulated that mechanical or electrical faults in factories are due to gremlins taking over the working of machines.
· Your tutor may be generous to a fault but can not reward irrelevance or peripheral knowledge display. 3.
· Moreover, the back limbs of such folds may become detached along major thrust faults to produce nappes.· And not only are the major brewers at fault.· There appear to be several major faults in the reasoning that animal decline was the result of such plant disappearances.· The authors attribute the structure to a major basement fault.
NOUN· Reliance on Newt as a unifying bogeyman points to a fundamental design fault in the new Democratic juggernaut.· With three gearboxes making the same noise it seems to me a design fault, but is there a cure?· It was a design fault: you couldn't fit a coffin.
VERB· The blaze was caused by an electrical fault.· This difficulty is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.· The problem was caused by a fault at an electricity sub-station.
· It is not easy to find fault with Jimmy Connors' version of the backhand, is it?· In fact, the report seemed to find fault with Pollack for not having reported possible exposure to the virus.· It is easy to find fault with any programme for converting a planned economy back into a market one.· Wanting to dislike him for his broken promise, she could find no fault with his manners.· He would not find fault with the falsehood.· But after the spectacle in Baghdad, it's harder to find fault with those who worry that they eventually might.· Around 250 responses were received last year commenting on the group's initial consultation paper, and 140 of them found fault.· He finds fault with everything I do.
· If the temperature of the heating system seems erratic, the fault may lie with the boiler thermostat.· If the case is not progressing, then the fault lies with the auditor.· The fault lay not with Alison but with her surroundings, soulless and uninviting.· That was where the fault line lay.· This would explain why such faults tend to lie in certain directions.· He judged the current Transactions of the Royal Society to be unworthy of publication, the fault lying with the Secretary.· Clients will resist carrying these costs if the fault lies with the accountant.· Where does the fault lie that produces that outrage?
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- David was loyal to a fault, and in his naive understanding quietly expected the same kind of loyalty in return.
- He is loyal to a fault, even to his enemies.
- His father's brother, Gloucester had hitherto been loyal to a fault.
- Your tutor may be generous to a fault but can not reward irrelevance or peripheral knowledge display. 3.
- The accident report found both drivers at fault.
- In my opinion Anna acted more childishly but through no fault of her own.
- So, through no fault of my own, I was at a loose end quite a bit.
- It believes that the new LightsOut software is the first unattended event monitoring program from a supplier of Unix-based fault-tolerant computers.
- The chips are targeted at embedded controls, portable and desktop computers, high-end fault-tolerant machines and supercomputers.
- The sergeant seemed to find fault with everything Maddox did.
- Alas, the critics were liable to miss the point or deliberately find fault with it.
- But after the spectacle in Baghdad, it's harder to find fault with those who worry that they eventually might.
- He would not find fault with the falsehood.
- In fact, the report seemed to find fault with Pollack for not having reported possible exposure to the virus.
- It is easy to find fault with any programme for converting a planned economy back into a market one.
- It is not easy to find fault with Jimmy Connors' version of the backhand, is it?
- Only one investor found the nerve to find fault with what the vast majority considered to be an excellent performance in 1991.
- She always had to find fault with everything; she wouldn't have been our Mum else.
WORD FAMILYadjectivefaultlessfaultynounfaultverbfaultadverbfaultlessly
1responsible for mistake if something bad that has happened is your fault, you should be blamed for it, because you made a mistake or failed to do something: I’m really sorry – it’s all my fault.be somebody’s fault (that) It’s your fault we’re late. I didn’t sleep well that night, but it was my own fault.be somebody’s fault for doing something It’s my fault for not making your new job clearer.2at fault if someone is at fault, they are responsible for something bad that has happened: The police said that the other driver was at fault. Some people claim that it is the UN that is at fault.3something wrong with something a)something that is wrong with a machine, system, design etc, which prevents it from working properly: a design faultfault in It sounds as if there’s a fault in one of the loudspeakers. b)something that is wrong with something, which could be improved SYN flaw: There are two serious faults in Hobsbawm’s discussion of nationalism. For all its faults (=in spite of its faults) we love this city. c)a mistake in the way that something was made, which spoils its appearancefault in The sweater had a fault in it and I had to take it back.4somebody’s character a bad or weak part of someone’s character: His worst fault is his arrogance. I may have my faults, but ingratitude is not one of them. For all his faults (=in spite of his faults) he was a good father.5through no fault of her/my etc own used to say that something bad that happened to someone was not caused by them: Through no fault of our own we are currently two players short.6crack a large crack in the rocks that form the Earth’s surface: the San Andreas fault7generous/loyal/honest etc to a fault extremely generous, loyal etc: Barry’s kind, caring and generous to a fault.8tennis a mistake made when a player is serving the ball in tennis → double fault, loyal, → find fault with somebody/something at find1(14)THESAURUS– Meaning 3something wrongfault a problem in a machine, system, design etc that causes damage or makes it not work properly: · The fire was caused by an electrical fault.· a fault in the enginedefect a fault in something such as a product or machine, resulting from the way it was made or designed: · Cars are tested for defects before they leave the factory.weakness a part of a plan, system, or argument that is not as good as the other parts, and makes it likely to fail: · What are the strengths and weaknesses of each method?flaw a fault in a plan, system, argument etc, especially one that makes it useless or not effective: · Your argument has a fundamental flaw.· There was one major flaw in his suggestion – we didn’t have enough money.bug a fault in a computer program: · A bug in the system was quickly fixed.glitch a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be easily corrected: · I noticed a small glitch when installing the software.mistake something that is wrong in someone’s spelling, grammar, calculations etc: · The article was full of spelling mistakes.there’s something wrong with something used when saying that there is a problem in a machine, car etc, but you do not know what it is: · There’s something wrong with the computer – it won’t close down.fault1 nounfault2 verb
faultfault2 verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
fault
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | fault |
| he, she, it | faults | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | faulted |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have faulted |
| he, she, it | has faulted | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had faulted |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will fault |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have faulted |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am faulting |
| he, she, it | is faulting | |
| you, we, they | are faulting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was faulting |
| you, we, they | were faulting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been faulting |
| he, she, it | has been faulting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been faulting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be faulting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been faulting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- The Mars project has been faulted by some scientists who say it has little research value.
- Even his serve, which he does not really rate as a weapon, could hardly have been faulted.
- He also faulted them for not checking to make sure that contractors doing business with the city employ women and minorities.
- Here again, one must fault Ricci on his treatment of Buddhism.
- I couldn't really fault the Stylus 800.
- The sedimentary rocks, with their coal seams, have been folded and faulted.
- While it is difficult to fault this book, a list of abbreviations would have been a useful addition.
- Who could fault him for doing what had to be done to protect the lives of potential presidents?
Longman Language Activatorsomething wrong with a machine, system, plan etc
something wrong with one of the parts of a machine that prevents it from working properly: · Quality control staff are employed to check for any faults.fault in: · I think there's a fault in one of the loudspeakers.· The fault could be either in the tape or in the VCR.electrical/mechanical/technical etc fault: · The rocket launch was delayed because of a technical fault.
something wrong with a product or machine, especially caused by a mistake in the way it was made or designed: · All the computers are checked for defects before they leave the factory.defect in: · A defect in the braking system caused several accidents before the car was recalled.· Investigators found a defect in the design of the ship.
something that stops a machine or system from working normally: · Please call 5326 if you have any computer problems.problem with: · There seems to be some kind of problem with the heaters.problem in: · Engineers were unable to find the source of the problem in the spacecraft's cooling system.
something wrong with a machine, car etc, especially when you do not know exactly what is causing it: · If you have engine trouble, park as far to the side of the road as possible.have trouble: · If you used the same tape later and had no trouble with the picture, the problem is probably in the VCR.trouble with: · We've been having some trouble with the air-conditioning.the trouble (=the particular thing causing the problem): · I think we've found out what the trouble is.
something wrong with a plan, system, or set of ideas, which may make the whole thing useless or not effective: · His plan seemed foolproof, but I was sure there was a flaw somewhere.· The program has serious weaknesses, and I would avoid using it.flaw/weakness in: · There are several obvious flaws in his argument.· One major weakness in the study is that it is based on a very small sample.
a small problem in a computer or a computer system: · The program suffers from some minor bugs, but is still better than the first version.· Some chips contained a bug that caused computers to crash frequently.
a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be corrected easily: · As the glitches are found and corrected, the process is speeding up.glitch in: · A glitch in the system shut down the telephone service to nearly 6 million customers. technical/mechanical etc glitch: · NASA officials found a way to work around the technical glitch on the Galileo spacecraft.
a set of instructions that someone puts secretly into other people's computers, that can destroy information stored in them or stop them working correctly: · The disk was accidentally infected with a virus called "Stoned III".· Computer users from around the world reported that the virus had invaded their systems.· an anti-virus program
spoken say this when there is a problem in a machine, part of a car etc, but you do not know exactly what it is: · I think there's something wrong with the clutch in my car.· I don't know what's the matter with it, but I can't get it to work.· There are programs that will help you figure out what's wrong with your PC, and help you correct it.
a fault in someone's character a bad point in someone's character: · The secret of a good relationship is to accept the other person's faults, and not try to make them change.have his/her/their faults: · She's my best friend and I love her dearly, but she has her faults.for all his/her/their faults (=even though they have these faults): · For all his faults, he was a good father.
a small fault in someone's character or a lack of a good quality such as courage or good judgement: · The flaw that leads to Othello's downfall is his jealousy.· The biographer believes that flaws in Kennedy's character weakened his leadership of the nation.· Despite his weaknesses, he was a fair man.
the faults in someone's character - use this especially when you are saying that the person has good qualities too: · He acknowledged his own shortcomings, including at times being stubborn and a little vain.· Whatever his shortcomings, Hamilton was one of the great men in American history.
when something bad is someone's fault if something is someone's fault , they are responsible for it, especially because they made a mistake: · He played very well, and it is not his fault we lost.be somebody's own fault (=when someone is responsible for something bad that happens to them): · Marie failed the exam, but it was her own fault - she didn't do any work.be sb's fault (that): · I'm so sorry. It's my fault that we're so late.be sb's fault for doing something: · Of course she was angry - but it's your fault for telling her about the whole thing in the first place.the fault of somebody: · Suggesting that our problems are the fault of someone else won't solve anything.
if someone or something is to blame for a bad situation, they caused it: · When kids do badly at school, it's not always the teachers who are to blame.be to blame for: · Some people think television is to blame for a lot of the problems in modern society.· She was as much to blame for the breakup of their marriage as he was.
if someone is responsible for an accident, crime etc, they caused it and they should be punished for it: · The police are trying to find out who was responsible.be responsible for: · There is a reward for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for the explosion.feel responsible (=think that something is your fault): · I knew the accident wasn't really my fault, but I can't help feeling a little responsible.
if someone, especially a group of people or an organization, is at fault , they are responsible for something bad that has happened because they did not behave correctly or did not take enough care: · The accident report found both drivers to be at fault.be at fault for doing something: · With regard to the chaos after the earthquake, many people believe the government is at fault for not responding quickly enough.
if you only have yourself to blame for something bad that has happened, it is your own fault that it happened and you should not feel sorry for yourself: · His wife's left him but he only has himself to blame.only have yourself to blame for doing something: · I've only got myself to blame for losing the race.
to think that it is your fault that something bad has happened, so that you feel very upset or ashamed: · You mustn't blame yourself -- it wasn't your fault.· Children sometimes feel responsible for their parents divorcing and blame themselves.blame yourself for: · He never stopped blaming himself for his wife's death.
when something is not someone's fault if something is not someone's fault , they did not make it happen and they should not be blamed for it: · Try not to worry about it too much - it's not your fault.· She felt guilty, even though the accident wasn't her fault.be not sb's fault (that): · It wasn't the builders' fault that the work wasn't finished on time.
if something bad happens through no fault of your own , it is not your fault that it happens but you suffer because of it: · The center exists to help those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.· Because of the budget cuts, some students, through no fault of their own, may have a hard time paying their way.
to not be responsible for something bad that happens - use this especially when other people think you might have done something to make it happen: · The press won't leave him alone, but he wasn't really to blame.not be to blame for: · Hospital workers were not to blame for a nine-year-old's death, a court decided yesterday.· The report said that no one was to blame for the accident.
especially spoken use this to say that someone should not be blamed for something because they cannot stop it from happening: · "Stop walking up and down like that!" "I can't help it - I'm really nervous."· I tried not to cry but I just couldn't help it.can't help it if: · He can't help it if they didn't understand what he was telling them to do.
very good, with nothing wrong someone or something that is perfect is good in every way and could not be any better: · We had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect.absolutely perfect: · The meal was absolutely perfect.be in perfect health (=use this especially about someone who is old): · My mother's in perfect health, even though she's nearly 80.the perfect husband/secretary/couple etc: · Beth and Martin always seemed to be the perfect couple.
formal completely perfect, with no mistakes or faults at all: · Hiroshi's English was flawless.· He gave a faultless performance as Macbeth.
: model husband/wife/student etc someone who has all the qualities that a husband, wife, student etc should have: · Karen was a model student: hardworking, intelligent and enthusiastic.· Chris always got to work early and left late - the model employee.
formal behaviour that is impeccable , is so good that it is impossible to find anything wrong with it: impeccable manners/behaviour/taste etc: · Macdonald was an aristocratic character with impeccable manners.· As I expected, her house was decorated with impeccable taste.impeccable qualifications/credentials (=documents that show that your experience or skills are perfect for a particular job or situation): · On paper, her qualifications seemed to be impeccable.
say you can't fault something, when you cannot criticize it because it has no faults or mistakes: · I can't fault her driving, except that it's rather fast.· No one could fault the way he handled the crisis.
perfect over a long period of time: · The report stated that Stewart's character had remained completely unblemished.an unblemished reputation/record/past etc: · Mrs Falconer had an unblemished record of 27 years service with the company.· He has established an unblemished reputation for accuracy.
when something is so good that it could not be any better: · Don't expect perfection in your relationships.to perfection (=perfectly): · The pasta was cooked to perfection.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The judge cannot be faulted on his decision. You might not like O'Donnel’s arrogance, but it’s hard to fault what he does on the field.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The fire was caused by an electrical fault. Part of the blame must lie with social services. It’s your own fault for leaving the window open.
The judge cannot be faulted on his decision. You might not like O'Donnel’s arrogance, but it’s hard to fault what he does on the field. (=a part of something that does not work well or look good)· If a washing-machine makes too much noise, it’s a design fault.
The fire was caused by an electrical fault. Part of the blame must lie with social services. It’s your own fault for leaving the window open.PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- It believes that the new LightsOut software is the first unattended event monitoring program from a supplier of Unix-based fault-tolerant computers.
- The chips are targeted at embedded controls, portable and desktop computers, high-end fault-tolerant machines and supercomputers.
- The sergeant seemed to find fault with everything Maddox did.
- Alas, the critics were liable to miss the point or deliberately find fault with it.
- But after the spectacle in Baghdad, it's harder to find fault with those who worry that they eventually might.
- He would not find fault with the falsehood.
- In fact, the report seemed to find fault with Pollack for not having reported possible exposure to the virus.
- It is easy to find fault with any programme for converting a planned economy back into a market one.
- It is not easy to find fault with Jimmy Connors' version of the backhand, is it?
- Only one investor found the nerve to find fault with what the vast majority considered to be an excellent performance in 1991.
- She always had to find fault with everything; she wouldn't have been our Mum else.
WORD FAMILYadjectivefaultlessfaultynounfaultverbfaultadverbfaultlessly
to criticize someone or something for a mistakebe faulted on/for something The judge cannot be faulted on his decision.it is hard/difficult to fault somebody/something You might not like O'Donnel’s arrogance, but it’s hard to fault what he does on the field.GRAMMAR Fault is often used in the passive.